Suggestions for a 29g?

[leoleo]

My tank:

2 medium-large angels
5 rummy nose tetras
4 lyre-tailed mollies
2 blue rams heads
5 serpae tetras

I currently have a small amazon sword. Substrate is regular large sized black gravel. Lighting is a 24" 2x24 watt T5 high output strip & 17watt regular flourescent. No CO2. filter is a penguin 350b

I looked at the following assortment and it looked good. Runs about $45 after shipping. Will that work in my aquarium?

Thank you,

leo

Asian Plant Assortment

10-20 Gallon

3 Cryptocoryne Wendtii

3 Cryptocoryne Lutea

1 Cryptocoryne Balansae

4 Corkscrew Vallisneria

2 Contortionist Vallisneria

1 Crinum Lily

2 Giant Hygrophila

6 Malayan Needle Point Snails

 

[Nolapete]

You might be pushing it without CO2 on that selection, but I'll let the experts reply to be sure. You'll need some ferts most likely.

 

[UCF-Planted]

I think the lighting is going to be the bigger issue than the plants. Any tank is going to benefit from CO2, but any upgrade from stock lighting may make CO2 necessary to prevent algae. Looks like a nice arrangement that should work with your lighting, and if you are not getting algae now, then you should be fine.

 

[plantling]

I've got a 29 gallon heavily planted and I'm doing the DIY yeast CO2. Its fairly simple. There should be directions on a sticky thread up at the top of this forum. That looks like a nice plant package.
Here's the sticky:
CO2 Injection

 

[leoleo]

To tell you the truth, I used to have an algae problem, but as soon as I put the rams heads and, to a lesser extent, the mollies, the problem went away. They are VORACIOUS algae eaters. The rams heads were pulling sheets of algae slime off the plants, rocks, and decorations and eating it. The mollies spend most of the day just picking any stray bits off the plants. And I almost bought some ottos or sae's.

UCF: Sorry for being dense, but I wasn't sure what you meant about the lighting. Do you think the lighting is insufficient? I thought about adding another 24" 2x24 watt T5HO strip, but I thought I'd see how the first one went. Just bought it.

Planting: Thanks for the link. I'll definitely check it out. I was hoping the sheer numbers of fish would provide a bit more than normal CO2. I think I need to get another test kit. I haven't really heard of KH, but it seems important to get a baseline of that.

Thanks for the suggestions. I was afraid I might get a RTFM response because I'm sure there must be a post every two days asking for help with a new tank. There's just so much information out there... it's been a bit overwhelming.

leo

Here's a pic before I plant it... looks pretty barren, eh? Lights are off, flash is on.. tank look better but its hard to take a picture without the flash. Don't know where the other angel is in the pic. He's silver stripe and a wee bit smaller. I can't believe the colors on the rams heads... they are incredible. Just bought those last weekend at the aquarium center in randalstown, md

 

[UCF-Planted]

I think the lighting is fine for the plants, just saying I think you may need ferts, (Macro, Micro and CO2) with that much light to prevent algae. Sorry for not being more specific/clear

 

[rich311k]

You have plenty of light for those plants. Once they get going the plants and the algae will tell you what ferts you need and if you need CO2 or not.

I think if you add CO2 and ferts you will have a much better experience with the plants.